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Bovell bids to close World Cup gap

By
Mark Pouchet
mark.pouchet@trinidadexpress.com

Story Created:
Nov 8, 2012 at 10:04 PM ECT

Story Updated:
Nov 8, 2012 at 10:04 PM ECT

Trinidad and Tobago's George Bovell will attempt to bridge a 20-point deficit, as he seeks the US$100,000 winner's cheque at the final leg of the FINA/Arena Swimming Short Course World Cup, tomorrow and Sunday in Singapore.

The 29-year-old Bovell goes into the pool tomorrow morning ranked second on the points table, behind Australia's Kenneth To (145-125).

Bovell is carded to swim in the fourth and final men's 100 metres individual medley heat. Bovell, who has won three gold medals and four silvers in seven previous starts in the event, will be a shoe-in for the final later tomorrow, when he is expected to renew his rivalry with To. To will swim in the third heat.

At the end of the seventh leg of the World Cup, in Tokyo, Japan, Bovell, who won gold in the 100 IM and gold in the 50m freestyle at the two-day meet, had 125 points from 14 top-two finishes–seven gold medals, seven silver.

Bovell earned 100 IM gold when he touched the wall first in Berlin, Germany on October 26 in a national record time of 51.20 seconds. The clocking was also the fastest 100 IM Short Course time for the year, and second best ever in a textile swim suit. Only American Ryan Lochte has gone faster.

Bovell is also second on the alltime 50 free list, at 20.82 seconds, behind Brazil's 2008 Olympic champion, Cesar Cielo. He produced the 20.82 swim at the Sweden leg of the World Cup. The overall men's World Cup champion will receive US$100,000, while the runner-up gets US$50,000, and third earns US$30,000. The same prize structure is in place for the women.